Victory Fund endorses 55 more LGBT candidates for election

LGBT group shatters record with 272 endorsements in 2018

The LGBTQ Victory Fund endorsed 55 additional candidates for elected positions across the nation last week. The latest slate brings to 272 its total number of endorsements for the 2018 election cycle. This number will shatter its previous record of 180 candidates in 2012.

The record-breaking numbers reflect the extremely high number of LGBT candidates running for office this year. It may dramatically increase the number of LGBT elected officials at every level of government.

In New Jersey the new Victory Fund endorsements include:

Caitlin Giles-McCormick, Flemington (NJ) Borough Council.

Neil Abadie, Jersey City (NJ) Board of Education, At-Large

Meghan Huryk, Neptune City (NJ) Borough Council

Previous endorsements in New Jersey include Betsy Driver for Mayor of Flemington in Hunterdon County. Also endorsed was Daniel Ward for Barnegat Township Committee in Ocean County. In Morris County, the incumbent, Leonard Resto was endorsed by the Victory Fund for Chatham Borough Council.

“Never before in our 27-year history have we seen so many viable and qualified LGBTQ leaders standing up to run for office,” said Mayor Annise Parker, President & CEO of LGBTQ Victory Fund. “While the Rainbow Wave of LGBTQ candidates is impressive in numbers, we are also running for more high-level offices than ever before and for positions where no openly LGBTQ person has served. We can elect our first out trans governor, our first representatives to the Kansas and Nebraska state legislatures, and a historic number of LGBTQ leaders to Congress.”

Among the latest round of endorsees is Tracy Mitrano, a U.S. House candidate for New York’s 23rd Congressional district who is running against a pro-Trump incumbent. She received a Game Changer endorsement for the national implications of a victory for her on Election Day. Receiving Spotlight endorsements were Megan Hunt and Scott Winkler, both running for the Nebraska Legislature and either will become the first openly LGBT people in that body if elected. Susan Ruiz, candidate for Kansas House of Representatives, also received a Spotlight endorsement. She joins previously announced Spotlight candidate Brandon Woodard in running to become the first openly LGBT people elected to the Kansas state legislature.

“This surge in LGBTQ political power is important,” said Parker. “Our nation needs more values-driven leaders determined to find solutions to the issues that matter most to everyday Americans — and they are finding those leaders in our LGBTQ candidates.”

Of the 272 LGBTQ candidates endorsed in 2018, 224 are still in their races and will appear on general election ballots in November. You can view Victory Fund’s 2018 Rainbow Wave by the Numbers report online at victoryfund.org/rainbowwave2018.